| Abstract: | Introduction
Being a teacher is one the greatest responsibilities that a person can carry; you are responsible of an entire generation and their way of perception, at least to a certain age. Being a teacher does not just mean to teach a certain subject, but also sensibilizing your students on their responsibilities, how to become better human beings, and how to make the world a better place to live. Teaching English as a second or a foreign language gives teachers plenty of room to integrate social responsibilities, starting from students behavior in class, their manners in the institution, their reflection on others, and sharing messages from lessons. Building social responsibilities by teaching English as a foreign or a second language requires commitment not only from teachers, but also from students, school management, Ministry of Education, and book compilers. In order for students to become socially responsible they need to understand what social responsibilities are and what will serve them in the real setting. Flores (2004, p.l) stares that:
"The 21st century and its realities have challenged and inevitably renewed educators' commitment to social responsibility. Although what constitutes social responsibility varies according to its context, English language teachers agree that they should help students develop the social skills necessary to become successful global citizens and proactive agents for change in pursuit of the common good. In doing so, educators will be working to improve the quality of students' and their own lives, and the well-being of the communities they serve. This is what social responsibility is all about".
Berman (1990, p.3) This understanding "may even take redesigning schools and classrooms to embrace a culture that values and creates empowerment, cooperation, compassion and respect"(as quoted in Flores 2004, p.l). Nowadays English teachers are familiar with the concept of social responsibilities and the need to built that, especially since English is a globalized language and the impact is even wider. |
EBSCOhost
World Bank
EconBiz
De Gruyter
OpenEdition
European Respiratory Journal
Mathematical Sciences Publishers Journals
Building social responsibilities through teaching English as a second or a foreign language / Albulena Vatovci
